- Pamela J. Lantz
ADONAI-Part Two- A quick trip to Hebron
In Just Let Them Love You, the first name of God we discover is Adonai. Abraham was resting in Hebron when God (Adonai) appeared to him under a Oak tree. The photo below is presumed to be the very tree.
Located 32 kilometers south of Jerusalem, Hebron is built on several hills. Its name is derived from a root word that is linked to the word- "friend."
Hebron is one of the oldest continually occupied cities in the world.
Genesis tells us that Abraham purchased a field here, and now serves as a burial site for him and some of his family. This parcel of land marks it as the first purchased by the Jewish father in the promised land.
Hebron's climate and soil, and that of its surrounding region prove favorable for agricultural bounty. Grapes, wheat and a variety of fruit trees thrive. Architectural digs have uncovered great vats of olive oil and other treasures from Hebron's ancient occupants.
Hebron maintains a very conservative posture. Most women wear the Hijab and the men dress modestly. When visiting Hebron, tattoos, arms, and legs should be covered out of respect for the region. Sandals are appropriate.
Alcohol is not sold in Hebron, and taking it into the territory is frowned upon. There is a wide offering of traditional foods and street markets carry the regions agricultural bounty; dates, avocado,grapes, peaches, watermelon, peppers, tomato and cucumbers to name a few.
Shawarma- a variety of meat or chicken carved off a vertical rotisserie, wrapped in flatbread along with vegetables and special sauces.
Potato rings-a cross between french fries and chips are very popular- Yes please.
Fried dough wrapped around nuts and cheeses dipped in a sugar syrup. Yum!
The Old Testament chronicles Hebron's rich and long-standing Jewish history, mentioning it 87 times. Joshua assigned Hebron to Caleb, and God instructed David to go to Hebron where he was anointed king and subsequently ruled.
Unfortunately, Hebron also has a history of strife and violence since its beginnings. The struggle is far too complicated and involved to go into here, just know that the bloodshed has been great and the divisions among Israel's inhabitants remain.
This tug of war has resulted in the tomb of the Patriarchs now functioning as a mosque. Currently, Hebron consists of mostly Sunni Muslim residents, a small group of Jewish residents, and a few Christians.
Walls, armed guards and other forces keep the region on edge.
The struggle between Arabs and Jews is well-documented in the Bible and now through the press. Fighting continues. Bloodshed on all sides. Abraham, the father of both, met God here. He met Him as Master, Lord and friend.
It would appear that the bowing of knee, the acknowledging of Jehovah as God, the acknowledging of Jesus as His son, and the pursuit of a friendship with Him, has a long way to go. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, in and outside of her borders.
So, what is our take-away? Adonai chose Hebron's soil for a reason. I find it interesting that Abraham was in a state of rest when Adonai appeared to him in Hebron. I don't think its coincidence that Abraham was eventually laid to rest there as well. Abraham ultimately came to a realization that he needed to rest in Adonai's promises, for taking matters into his own hands was never the plan.
In order to call God our Master/Lord/Friend, we need to rest in Him. We need to lean in and trust Him, for when we do, we find He is a Master that loves us. He protects us. He provides for us. He leads us. He partners with us, and eventually He takes us home to be with Him forever.
all photos courtesy of Google images